If you’re looking for interesting textiles that are “ethnic” but practical to use then look at Jennifer Shorto’s work. She is an inveterate textile collector who realised that consumers were looking for something different but easy to integrate into their decorative schemes. This launch collection has been inspired by Yoruba and Ashanti weavers from West […]
One-minute blog of interesting things
Subscribe to my blog
As a working contemporary artist I visit many exhibitions and shows, but sometimes it is the things I see that are part of daily life that capture my interest. My one-minute blog of interesting things reflects the fact that although we are increasingly time-poor, there is creativity all around us. Email me at info@carolinebanks.co.uk with your name and email to receive a weekly post that only takes 1 minute to read.
Chelsea Textiles – lacquered furniture range
This company has always been known for their beautifully embroidered fabrics in historical and traditional designs. All very lovely and covetable but limited in their market appeal. Imagine my surprise when I saw their new lacquered furniture collection. Whoa, They’re suddenly in the mid-20th Century! Looking back I can see the progression from their first Gustavian furniture […]
Maid of Gingerbread
I met the Maid of Gingerbread a few weeks ago after admiring her creations in Stoke Newington. She’ll create objects to order and has a collection of edible pieces ready to buy, including these 3D glasses and microphones. You can get crochet food but I like the fact I can eat this. Most of her […]
What to do with your bike if it doesn’t fit indoors
I love this image from Christian Peterson – just imagine the sound when it rains…
Jocelyn Warner Textiles launch at Maison & Objet
Jocelyn Warner launched her new fabric collection to an enthusiastic audience at Maison & Objet in Paris last week. The fabric designs were selected from the best-selling wallpapers and interpreted for fabric use in 100% linen and all produced in the UK. These designs feel like a deep sigh of relief after a hard day. The […]
Top Drawer: new products
I’m always interested to see what Top Drawer will reveal each season and it didn’t disappoint this time. New companies mixed with established ones and it’s always surprising to see who is there. This year I bumped into someone I hadn’t seen for over 20 years! Here are just a couple of exhibitors worth watching: […]
Think about your chopsticks…
As you know, I keep an eye out for anything interesting to share so I couldn’t resist this one from Moe Beitiks. OK, I know we can view it as a bigger problem in Asia than here but it still relates to us. This 5m high tree, displayed in Shanghai, was made out of 30,000 […]
ARC Lighting Show
This show is very useful to see what the latest developments are in the world of commercial lighting. We know that LEDs rule; what is interesting now is the range of low-energy lighting available and by that I mean the different colours of light. Toshiba had an interesting stand with little cubby holes of warmer […]
William Forsythe’s The Fact of Matter: interactive art at Move.
Most of us have been on gymnastic rings from childhood days, even if only to swing on them for a while. This installation, recently seen (and experienced) at the Hayward Gallery’s Move exhibition, made me ache for 2 days making it a very memorable piece in a way I hadn’t anticipated. The choreographer William […]
The Town Hall – new hotel and apartments in East London
Yes, the name means what it says: this was the old Bethnal Green Town Hall , now converted into a boutique hotel and apartments. The bar and gourmet restaurant are open to non-residents making this a welcome meeting place in Bethnal Green. The location is ideal for access to the City as well as other […]